Ghalib is my favourite poet: Bohemia

KARACHI: Rap music is not
something alien to Pakistani listeners; they were formally introduced to
it by Fakhre Alam in his very memorable “Bhangra” in the early 90s and
even now contemporary artists like Islamabad-based Adil Omar are making
contributions to this genre. However, the most groundbreaking
advancement in the rap scene so far is the recent collaboration of
globally recognised rapperBohemia and widely-viewed music programme
“Coke Studio”.

“Paisay Da Nasha” is the outcome of this equation and has so far
crossed more than 300,000 hits on YouTube, making it one of the fastest
spreading and the second most popular track of “Coke Studio” season five
episode one.

The artist, who channels out his internal conflict and rebellion
against society by writing soul touching songs, was overwhelmed by the
“Coke Studio” experience and shared his views after his recording
sessions.“I am in awe of the effort the whole team puts in over here,”
says Bohemia. “Their honesty is reflected in the final product that all
these masterminds come up with.”

Bohemia jauntily terms Pakistan as a “dangerous place” but adds that a
country with geniuses like Rohail Hyatt and Asad Ahmed is expected to
take the global music scene by a storm and that’s a threat to other
artists. “I have grown up listening to people like Sir Rohail and Sir
Asad and it’s an honour for me to work with them,” says a very humble
Bohemia. “They are legends in their own kind and if they call me again I
will definitely show up.”

Being a Pakistani at heart who has grown up listening to Pakistani
pop bands and solo artists like Sajjad Ali, Bohemia was deeply
influenced by Urdu poetry and a conversation with the rapper shows one
the kind of command he has on Urdu language and literature.

Putting his inspiration to good use, the rapper wrote a collection of poems when he was in 10th
grade. Even his early poems have a sadness to them and most of his
verses, like his lyrics, reflect his tumultuous life story. When asked
about his inspirations, the Punjabi rapper says that he has very clear
choices in poetry. “Mirza Ghalib is my favourite Urdu poet. There is no
second favourite, he was and is the one and only,” says Bohemia.

While reading out a few lines of Ghalib; “Har aik baat pae kehte ho tum kay tu kiya hi, tumhi kaho kay yeh andaz e guftugu kia hai,”
he elaborates on his fascination with Ghalib’s poetry. “Look at his
thought-process and expression. I’m not comparing myself to anyone here
but people connect to his poetry even today and I am trying to do the
same as a rapper”.

Only the coming episodes of “Coke Studio” will unravel whether
Bohemia has what made Ghalib an unforgettable and invincible force in
the world of poetry and literature.